|
BIOGRAPHIES
 Source:
The County of Noble, Ohio
A History of Noble County Ohio from the Earliest Days
with Special Chapter on Military Affairs and Special Attention Given
to Resources,
By Hon. Frank M. Martin
1904
For Reference: Noble County was formed in 1851
<
BACK TO 1904 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
>
< BACK TO
LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
| |
WILLIAM
C. OKEY, familiarly known as Judge Okey, is
entitled to a place in the first rank of the present lawyers
of Noble County, not only by reason of seniority, but also
because his achievements have won for him that position.
Mr. Okey was born in Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio,
August 24, 1828. His father, James Okey, was
among the prominent citizens of that county, holding the
office of magistrate for twenty-one years, and representing
the county in the State legislature for two terms. The
subject of this notice spent his boyhood on a farm.
After receiving a common school and academic education, he
engaged in teaching school during the winter months,
devoting his spare tune to the study of the law. In
1849, he entered the law office of Nathan Hollister,
and two years later he was admitted to the bar. In
1852 he opened an office in Sarahsville, then the county
seat of the newly-formed County of Noble, as a member of the
firm Hollister, Okey & Hollister, where
he soon rose to prominence in his profession. In 1855
he was appointed clerk of courts and in the following year
was elected to that office. He followed the county
seat to Caldwell, thus becoming one of the first settlers of
the village in which he has since resided. At the
expiration of his term as clerk he resumed practice of law,
continuing until 1862 when he entered the service of his
country in Company E, Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Resigning in 1863 by reason of disability, he again took up
his practice which he has followed assiduously ever since.
In 1866 he formed in co-partnership with
Jabez Belford,
one of the most prominent attorneys of Noble County, which
lasted until the decease of Mr. Belford in 1882.
Mr. Okey has never been a politician in the
ordinary acceptation of the word, yet he has taken a deep
interest in all matters affecting the general welfare of the
country. He is a firm supporter of the Democratic
party. In 1870 he was nominated for judge of the court
of common pleas in opposition to Hon. F. W. Wood, of
McConnelsville. The district was largely Republican
yet Mr. Okey was defeated by only a small majority,
running ahead of his ticket in most of the district, and
carrying his own county by 350 majority.
He is the oldest lawyer in Noble County and for many
years has had an extensive practice. He is diligent
and industrious and conscientiously faithful to the
interests of his clients. As a lawyer he bears an
unspotted reputation. He is a man of decided views; a
careful, cautious counselor, and a good judge of the law.
A gentleman who has known him intimately for twenty eight
years, says of him: "He is a gentleman, a good lawyer
and an honest, straightforward and reputable citizen."
In him the younger attorneys of the county have a faithful
friend, always willing to aid the deserving in securing a
start in their profession.
Mr. Okey married for his first wife Miss
Julia Ring. His present wife was Miss Ruth
Caldwell, daughter of the venerable Joseph Caldwell,
elsewhere mentioned.
Source:
History of Noble County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: L. H.
Watkins & Co., 1887 |
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
|
